Big interview

Soldier to “Krone”: Moscow is weakened, but …

The "Crown" reached Viktor Torkotiuk last week in eastern Ukraine.

(Bild: zVg / AFP, Krone KREATIV)

Viktor Torkotiuk is the commander of the Ukrainian special forces unit "Artan". Two years ago, he wanted to visit the Vienna Opera with his wife. But then the war got in the way.

They call him "Titan", he has been fighting on the front line for two years: Lieutenant Colonel Viktor Torkotiuk, married for 19 years, father of two daughters and two sons. In an interview with the "Krone" newspaper, he describes the unequal battle against Russia, the constant danger from drones and what it feels like to kill.

Kronen Zeitung: Mr. Torkotiuk, what do you currently tell your soldiers when they ask you how long this war will last?
Viktor Torkotiuk: No one in my unit has ever asked me this question. Of course, some of us are already a little tired after two years of intense fighting. But we all motivate each other. We are ready for a long fight.

Torkotiuk (pictured) has also carried out missions in the Black Sea.

(Bild: zVg)

If you compare the start of the war two years ago with the situation today: What has changed the most? How is the war different now than it was at the beginning?
Practically all the conventional weapons available to the Russians are now being used on the battlefield. The war is going on in all areas: ground operations, naval and air combat as well as confrontations in cyberspace and the battle of intelligence services. Moscow is weakened, but not enough to end the war. So we have no choice but to continue inflicting losses on Russia so that we can strike a decisive blow at the right time.

What do your soldiers lack most at the moment?
It's no secret that the supply of certain types of weapons from our partners is being delayed. Above all, we need artillery systems, ammunition and air defense systems, because Russia will not stop with its missile terror and attacks with Iranian drones. Of course, we urgently need combat aircraft to counterbalance Russia's air superiority. But I would like to emphasize that we are not only dependent on Western supplies. The whole world can see right now how our Ukrainian naval drones are destroying the remnants of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

And conversely, what is the threat posed by Russian drones?
We see and hear them all the time, and if we can, we shoot them down. The Russians have adopted a lot of our know-how here and are actively using it: one drone takes off from a great height, another crashes into the target and explodes. Assault rifles don't help much, we use jammers and shotguns.

Viktor Torkotiuk with a Belgian assault rifle in eastern Ukraine

(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

Are these your most important weapons?
No, the most important weapon is our mind. We try to plan properly, to have several options for the development of events. And to attack unexpectedly and precisely.

What do you personally miss most on the front? Apart from friends and family?
I miss the peace and normal life. My wife and I are very fond of traveling. Incidentally, we had bought tickets to Vienna, we were due to fly in April 2022 and had booked a hotel. But because of the Russian invasion in February, we had to postpone our visit a little. As long as Russia threatens my country, I won't be able to go to the Vienna Opera. My orchestra is now my boys.

Has it become easier to kill during the war? For you personally and for your men?
The Russian army has come on Putin's orders to destroy us, the Ukrainians, because they believe that we don't exist as a nation. They are killing our people every day. That's why I don't think it's right to think about the "ease" or "difficulty" of killing in war. We have no other choice.

What do you feel about it?
When we shoot at Russian soldiers? Nothing. Except the recoil.